Where to Find the Nelson Vineyards
There are many reasons to love the Nelson region in New Zealand. The obvious one is for its sunny climate. This, mixed with the weathered gravels of an ancient river system stretching from St Arnaud to the coast has created the perfect gravel threaded clay soils for growing wine grapes.
From the Moutere Hills to the foothills of Richmond, the region is scattered with vineyards. Many of these vineyards have their cellar doors open for tastings of their magnificent creations. Because of the close proximity of most Nelson wineries, it’s easy to hop on a bike to explore a selection.
A popular way of getting between the Nelson wineries is via the Great Taste Trail, which you can read more about in Mountain Biking in Nelson Tasman.
All the Nelson wineries mentioned below are family-owned, meaning that you’ll often meet the winemakers themselves when visiting their cellar door. It’s a great way to experience their passion!
So whether it’s by bike, by a bus tour, or just experiencing one Nelson winery, you’ll find a winery to fulfil your foodie side in Nelson!
Table of Contents
1. Fossil Ridge Wines
On the Richmond foothills, a mere 20 minutes’ drive from Nelson city, Fossil Ridge Wines is a family-owned vineyard offering handcrafted wines including Chardonnay, Riesling, Rosé, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir at reasonable prices.
Their cellar door tastings showcase these quality wines, while the onsite café serves up delicious platters, lunches, desserts and coffee in a picturesque setting.
Don’t miss their macadamias and olives while you’re there! Fossil Ridge Wines is open during summer from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 3 pm.
Location: 71 Hart Road, Richmond.
© Pexels2. Milcrest Estate
A big name in the wine-making industry, Milcrest Estate produce award-winning Aromatics, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Dolcetto and Montepulciano.
All-day gourmet burgers, platters crafted from local produce and cheeseboards are available in their sunny rustic outdoor area. Wine tastings are on offer for a small fee for five tastings, refundable on any bottle purchased, with wines available to enjoy on-site or take away.
They also serve wine by the glass, craft beer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. Open from 11 am to 9:30 pm Thursday to Sunday in summer, or by appointment in winter.
Location: 161 Ridgeview Road, Redwood Valley, Richmond.
© Milcrest Estate3. Greenhough Vineyard
For a guilt-free tasting experience, check out Greenhough Vineyard for their certified organic wines. As one of Nelson’s longest established cellars, the vineyard welcomes visitors with a vibrant, hand-tiled entryway crafted by local ceramic artist Steve Fullmer.
The spacious tasting room opens to a courtyard with stunning views across the Hope Vineyard and Barnicoat Range beyond. Meet the winemakers themselves and sample limited older vintages at their cellar door.
They are open on Sundays from Labour Weekend (typically around late-October) to Easter Wednesday (typically around mid-April).
Location: 411 Patron Road, Hope
© Pexels4. Brightwater Vineyards
If you like Pinot Noir, then you can’t miss Brightwater Vineyards. Established in 1993 with their first plantings, this award-winning winery has built an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally. Their winemaker Tony Southgate earned Winemaker of the Year in 2012, testament to the quality you’ll experience here.
At their spacious cellar door in Hope, sample their range including Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, alongside vibrant reds such as Merlot and Pinot Noir.
The relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere makes for a perfect afternoon of wine tasting while enjoying scenic views across the plains to the western ranges.
They’re open from 11 am to 4:30 pm from the start of October until the end of May.
Location: 546 Main Road, Hope
© Brightwater Vineyards5. Falcon Ridge Estate
Falcon Ridge Estate is passionate about their methods. They produce award-winning wines from handpicked grapes grown on their elevated 8.10-hectare vineyard in the high sunshine temperate cool climate of Spring Grove.
Their sustainable viticultural practices, including close planting, balanced soil management and limited irrigation, deliver full-flavoured vine-ripened fruit.
Visitors to their cellar door are treated to spectacular views overlooking the Waimea Plain, Nelson and Tasman Bay. Falcon Ridge Estate is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm.
Location: 5 Higgins Road, Spring Grove
© Pexels6. Seifried Estate
This open year-round vineyard is perfect for all seasons. In summer, relax with a glass of wine out in their vineyard garden or huddle next to the fireplace in winter.
You’ll find Seifried’s cellar door open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, offering tastings and wine sales at their Rabbit Island vineyard location.
With bottles ranging from Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and dessert wines, there’s something to please all palates.
Location: Corner of State Highway 60 and Redwood Road, Appleby
© BareKiwi - Nelson Regional Development Agency7. Richmond Plains
Visit this pioneering wine producer who created New Zealand’s first Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from certified organic and biodynamic grapes. These forward-thinkers offer around seven different varietals.
Richmond Plains are open daily in summer and from Monday to Friday in winter.
Location: 108 McShane Road, Richmond
© Richmond Plains8. Waimea Estates
Situated on the Waimea Plains along the Appleby Highway, Waimea Estates produces exceptional wines that capture the distinctive aromas and flavours of the region. The name translates from Māori as “river gardens”, reflecting the fertile terroir that nurtures their diverse range.
Their selection includes Chardonnay, Riesling, Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rosé, Gewürztraminer, Syrah and Pinot Noir.
While there’s currently no cellar door experience available, you can purchase their wines directly through their website to enjoy these Nelson wines at home.
Location: Appleby Highway, Hope
© Waimea Estates9. Rimu Grove Winery
With some fantastic views over the Waimea Inlet, try some Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling at Rimu Grove Winery.
Established over two decades ago, the vineyard now spans seven hectares across the Bronte Peninsula. The cellar door, housed in a charming old bach perched at the top of the vineyards, offers superb scenery of the surrounding area.
As a boutique operation, you’re likely to be served by one of the winemakers themselves, making for a personal and intimate tasting experience. They’re open daily in summer.
Location: Bronte Road East, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© Rimu Grove Winery10. Ruby Bay Vineyard
Try some Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Methode Traditionelle along with some awesome views across the Tasman Bay.
While Ruby Bay Vineyard‘s cellar door is currently closed due to unforeseen circumstances, they’re still taking online orders for their range of wines, including their award-winning Pinot Noir varieties.
The vineyard offers several Gold Medal and Trophy winners from the Romeo Bragato Wine Awards, so you can still enjoy their exceptional wines at home.
Location: 271 Pomona Road, Ruby Bay
© Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash11. Kina Beach Vineyard
For a coastal setting along with your wine tasting, check out Kina Beach Vineyard. This boutique winery specialises in premium single estate wines, crafted in small batches from handpicked grapes.
The vineyard’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir showcase the distinctive qualities of the Kina Peninsula wine growing region, with each varietal carefully aged to perfection before release.
You can only visit the vineyard between Monday to Friday by arrangement only.
Location: 21 Dee Road, Kina
© Pexels12. Kina Cliffs Vineyard
This family-owned boutique vineyard is your one-stop-shop for views of the sea, mountains and the vines! Kina Cliffs Vineyard overlooks Tasman Bay and sits near the towering cliffs of the Kina Peninsula, where ancient Moutere clay gravels produce full-bodied, robust grape flavours.
Taste award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Rosé just 2 km off the Tasman Great Taste cycle trail.
The breezy coastal climate, high sunshine hours and hand-tended low-yield vines all contribute to the premium wines crafted by dedicated local winemakers.
Location: 38 Cliff Road, Kina
© Jorge Royan13. Blackenbrook Vineyard
Although most vineyards in Nelson are family-owned, you won’t get that family feeling more than in the Blackenbrook Vineyard. To reflect this, they are only open on selected long weekends or by appointment.
The vineyard cultivates seven grape varieties across their sun-drenched hillsides, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Montepulciano.
What we love about Blackenbrook is their hands-on approach to winemaking, striving for minimal interference with natural processes to create wines that are pure and genuine.
Their white wines are completely unfined and vegan-friendly, something we’ve come to appreciate in our visits to Nelson’s wine region.
Location: 51 Baldwin Road, Tasman (turn off at the Tasman General Store
© Blackenbrook Vineyard14. Riwaka River Estate
A small family-owned vineyard producing unique and distinctive-character wines, Riwaka River Estate grows grapes from limestone soils.
Their welcoming cellar door can accommodate groups of up to 50 people and is open daily between October and April for tastings and purchases.
Pop in, sit back and relax with a tasting of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir in the tranquility of their surroundings and let the world slowly drift by.
While you are in the area, we recommend a visit to the short walk leading to the Riwaka Resurgence (end of Riwaka Valley Road), a river emerging underneath the mountains of the Kahurangi National Park.
Location: 60 Takaka Hill Highway, Riwaka
© Riwaka Rivere Estate15. Dunbar Estates
Formerly the Rabbit Hill Estate, Dunbar Estates is nestled along the Motueka River surrounded by the foothills of the Mt Arthur Range.
Their rustic café and cellar door offer a unique opportunity to taste and purchase wines from both their Nelson site and their Shine Basin Vineyard in the Cromwell Basin, Central Otago.
Sample award-winning Pinot Noir alongside other varieties including Pinot Gris, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Tasman Rosé.
The cellar door also stocks their own olive oils and homemade preserves. They are open select hours from Labour Weekend through to Vintage.
Location: 1469 Motueka Valley Highway, Ngatimoti
© Jorge Royan16. Neudorf Vineyards
A vineyard and a deli! Neudorf Vineyards serves their award-winning wines with artisan cheese and mixed cured meats from their baby deli in the Neudorf garden.
They offer a wide selection of varieties including Chardonnay, Riesling, Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rosé and Pinot Noir, all of which have earned numerous accolades over the years.
Their cellar door is well worth a visit, especially when you can pair your wine with cheese and an assortment of crackers. They’re open from 11 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.
Location: 138 Neudorf Road, Upper Moutere
© BareKiwi - Nelson Regional Development Agency17. Himmelsfield Wines
A small vineyard with a big punch, Himmelsfield Wines is one of the smallest boutique vineyards in the country, grown from a hand-managed 1.2 ha (3-acre) vineyard.
This intimate scale allows for dedicated, hands-on vineyard management that ensures quality in every bottle. The vineyard is planted with one acre each of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Find them open daily between November and Easter (typically April).
Location: 100 Gardner Valley Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© Himmelsfeld Wines18. Gravity Winery
Enjoy some of the best views of the Southern Alps and Tasman Bay while tasting a glass of organic wine at Gravity Winery.
They offer a variety of tasting experiences, from guided sessions with their sommelier to self-guided tasting flights featuring four wines with tasting notes to explore at your leisure. F
or something truly special, book a chocolate and wine pairing experience, four hand-crafted truffles matched with four perfectly chosen wines. Wine tastings run from 10 am daily, with lunch service available from 11:30 am to 3 pm (booking highly recommended).
If you’re keen to go behind the scenes, join Winemaker-in-Residence Brett Bermingham for a guided tour of their remarkable four-level gravity-fed winery built into the Mahana hillside, one of only two gravity-fed wineries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Tours typically run on Fridays at 11 am and include a welcome glass of Méthode Traditionnelle and exclusive barrel tastings.
Location: 243 Old Coach Road, Upper Moutere
© BareKiwi - Nelson Regional Development Agency19. Harakere Farm
If you like home-produced everything, then this is the place to be. Try Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Pinot Rose from the 3-acre vineyard, as well as olive oils, cheeses, jams, preserves and home-baking. They are open on selected weekends.
Location: The Old Post Office Country Store, 1381 Moutere Highway, Moutere Village
© Pexels20. Kahurangi Estate
For a touch of history, taste wines from some of the oldest vines in the South Island. Kahurangi Estate is a family-owned boutique vineyard in Upper Moutere, committed to producing quality hand-crafted wines.
Their cellar door, open daily, showcases an impressive range including Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer, alongside reds such as Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir.
The venue also offers a great wine and food menu, with beer and cider options for those preferring something other than wine.
Location: Corner of Moutere Highway and Sunrise Road, Upper Moutere
© Emanuel Feruzi on Unsplash21. Moutere Hills Vineyard
Serving both Moutere Hill wines and local beers, there’s something for everyone at the Moutere Hills Vineyard. The restaurant offers a fabulous dining experience with dishes prepared using mainly local ingredients, set in an idyllic location overlooking the vines and neighbouring hops.
The cellar door operates from the restaurant, where you can sample from a comprehensive range of boutique wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Sparkling, before choosing the perfect match for your meal. Many wines are sold exclusively through the cellar door.
They’re open from 11 am to 3:30 pm Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 9 pm Friday, and 11 am to 4 pm on weekends (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Location: Eggers Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© Pixabay22. Flaxmore Vineyards
Visit Flaxmore Vineyards to taste award-winning wines crafted from hand-picked grapes grown on north-facing slopes in the Moutere hills.
The cellar door overlooks the vineyard, where you can sample elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir Rosé, all beautifully balanced wines that pair perfectly with both casual and fine dining.
While you’re there, explore the unique art gallery and take a scenic walk around the vineyard, soaking in spectacular views across the valley to the majestic Kahurangi mountains beyond.
The venue features ramp access and accessible facilities, making it welcoming for all visitors. Dogs are also welcome on leads, both at the cellar door and on the vineyard walk.
Location: 24 Flaxmore Road, RD2, Upper Moutere, Nelson
© BareKiwi - Nelson Regional Development Agency21. Moutere Hills Vineyard
Serving both Moutere Hill wines and local beers, there’s something for everyone at the Moutere Hills Vineyard. The restaurant offers a fabulous dining experience with dishes prepared using mainly local ingredients, set in an idyllic location overlooking the vines and neighbouring hops.
The cellar door operates from the restaurant, where you can sample from a comprehensive range of boutique wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Sparkling, before choosing the perfect match for your meal. Many wines are sold exclusively through the cellar door.
They’re open from 11 am to 3:30 pm Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 9 pm Friday, and 11 am to 4 pm on weekends (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Location: Eggers Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© Pixabay21. Moutere Hills Vineyard
Serving both Moutere Hill wines and local beers, there’s something for everyone at the Moutere Hills Vineyard. The restaurant offers a fabulous dining experience with dishes prepared using mainly local ingredients, set in an idyllic location overlooking the vines and neighbouring hops.
The cellar door operates from the restaurant, where you can sample from a comprehensive range of boutique wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Sparkling, before choosing the perfect match for your meal. Many wines are sold exclusively through the cellar door.
They’re open from 11 am to 3:30 pm Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 9 pm Friday, and 11 am to 4 pm on weekends (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Location: Eggers Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© Pixabay21. Moutere Hills Vineyard
Serving both Moutere Hill wines and local beers, there’s something for everyone at the Moutere Hills Vineyard. The restaurant offers a fabulous dining experience with dishes prepared using mainly local ingredients, set in an idyllic location overlooking the vines and neighbouring hops.
The cellar door operates from the restaurant, where you can sample from a comprehensive range of boutique wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Sparkling, before choosing the perfect match for your meal. Many wines are sold exclusively through the cellar door.
They’re open from 11 am to 3:30 pm Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 9 pm Friday, and 11 am to 4 pm on weekends (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Location: Eggers Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© PixabayMore About Nelson and Wine
That’s it for our guide to the best wineries in Nelson; for more information about this sunny region, check out the following articles:
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Nelson.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
